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looking for a pole option to do spherical panos.

02-06-2012, 08:26 PM

sorry I have come to this discussion a tad late.

I already have a R1 with 8mm and 10.5mm ring with a nadir adapter.
I was wondering what my options would be to get a complete spherical pano on a pole.
I don't know how both the zenith or the nadir would be covered given that the nadir adapter would be totally useless on the pole.
Im using a D300 with 8mm and 10.5 for panos.

My preference would be for 10.5 before the 8mm
all suggestions are most welcome.

I already have a R1 with 8mm and 10.5mm ring with a nadir adapter.
I was wondering what my options would be to get a complete spherical pano on a pole.
I don't know how both the zenith or the nadir would be covered given that the nadir adapter would be totally useless on the pole.
Im using a D300 with 8mm and 10.5 for panos.

My preference would be for 10.5 before the 8mm
all suggestions are most welcome.

Shots around at 0°, +5°, +7.5°. Stitch to see the closure of the zenith at different settings. When you shoot at +7.5°, you can use the pin at the back side of the Adapter at 7.5° position to compensate to 0° when adapter is open. To shoot Zenith and then Nadir you have to turn the camera around for example with Quick Mount Mini Position. Check the change in vertical doing this, may be you have to correct the vertical another time. You have to try it and decide if a special workflow fits for you.

Workflow: raise pole and take shots around. Take pole down, open Adapter, compensate pole position in vertical on top segment, move aside to compensate the horizontal, raise pole and shoot Zenith. Come down again, set camera to shoot downwards for Nadir and raise again and shoot. Come down again, close and fix Adapter to save position. To be able to raise last segment you have to do the shots around with the pole not fully extended, shortened by distance NPP Turning Point of Adapter.

DennisS, using Sigma 8mm with D300, +5° on monopod closes the zenith. Nadir is done handheld.

Comment

I'm waiting on the downloads.
While I wait, The question is, While all this activity of shooting the zenith and nadir is taking place. Wouldn't the clouds (zenith) and people (nadir) move.
That would mean a lot of photoshop fixes. Not to mention a lot of work pulling it down and up again.

I guess in a quiet setup for a couple of pano its cool.
But if its run and gun. I guess you'll find yourself quite exhausted.

What if we could make a setup for 3-5 cameras that could take the 8 or 10 mm lens like the NEX cams and that way we could get it in one go and the big advantage of 360 video comes for free. Just throwing out ideas.

Comment

I'm waiting on the downloads.
While I wait, The question is, While all this activity of shooting the zenith and nadir is taking place. Wouldn't the clouds (zenith) and people (nadir) move.
That would mean a lot of photoshop fixes. Not to mention a lot of work pulling it down and up again.

I guess in a quiet setup for a couple of pano its cool.
But if its run and gun. I guess you'll find yourself quite exhausted.

What if we could make a setup for 3-5 cameras that could take the 8 or 10 mm lens like the NEX cams and that way we could get it in one go and the big advantage of 360 video comes for free. Just throwing out ideas.

Use Sigma 8mm at 0 deg tilt. You don't need zenith or nadir shots. Just patch them in post editing. You may shift the lens by 10mm to the front to reduce nadir footprint.
look at Wim's gallery, they are without zenith and nadir shots.http://www.nodalninja.com/forum/show...-Fanotec-poles

Comment

Would the series 2 poles be the best choice that best balances the low with the high position option for shooting panos?
There is another scenario which I was considering using the pole for and that was shooting at 3 different heights at the same spot with a gigapan and d300.
I don't know high I could before that could get unstable?
I was also wondering how stable would the tripod option be compared to manfrotto super giant stand?

Our pole is designed to hold 2kg at full extension. With larger loading, you need to reduce the extension or use guy wire.
Mind you that the weight has exponential effect on the stability.

Comment

I woud begin with Pole Series 2 Lower Unit to learn about pole pano shooting. You have to add Pole Series 2 Top Plate to fix your panohead to it. In case you like to shoot without a tripod, you need a Pole Footplate. As rotator you can either use a Pole Rotator N6 = 60°, or RD5 which gives you more possibilities in case you use the standard rotator with your NN3. To fix your NN3 to top of pole you need a Quick Mount Mini System. Next thing you need is Pole external Level for Fanotec 2. At least to carry things away, get a Pole Series 2 Case. In case you want to use the NN3, you have to get the RD8 RD16 Install Kit to get the black plate.

This is the way to use your NN3 on top to begin. Later on you may get an RS-1 and a lens ring for your 10.5mm lens. It is smaller than NN3 and easy to shoot zenith and nadir in NNP which is not as easy with a R1.

This is my list for you in case you like it.

RS-1 can also be mounted with QMMS on top of pole. Lower rail is shorter and you use a clamp in rotator position and a lens ring.